Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bement, IL

What it is, How it works

Testing hair is now recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair can offer an extensive history of substance use by holding biomarkers in its strands as it grows. When cut near the scalp, it presents a detection timeframe for substances including alcohol of up to three months approximately. Hair sampling is straightforward, presents challenges to adulterate, and is easy to transport.

Collecting a 1.5-inch length of nearly 200 hair strands (about a #2 pencil's thickness) from the scalp provides an optimal 100mg sample ideal for screening and confirmation. For screenings involving EtG, additional categories, or exceeding 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is advisable. We recommend using a jeweler’s scale to verify the specimen's weight. If scalp hair is inaccessible, a comparable amount of body hair is an option. When mentioning head hair, this specifies only scalp hair. Body hair includes all other varieties (such as facial, axillary, and more).

Overview of the Process

The principal stages in processing a drug test at a lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning initiates the sample's journey into the lab's processing framework by confirming correct sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any remaining data tasks not managed by an electronic custody chain system.

The Screening stage offers swift initial assessments for substances of abuse. Although a cost-effective measure for ruling out drug use in most samples, a Screening positive necessitates confirmation to serve in legal settings. Samples with positive indications at the Screening stage must undergo a confirmation step.

In cases where a sample yields a preliminary positive in Screening, further hair is sourced from the primary sample and prepped for Extraction. This stage involves extracting drugs from hair at lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine, oral fluids), establishing hair drug testing as a challenging procedure.

Confirmation for any Screening positives is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positives are washed when required before Confirmation. The complete process from Accessioning through Confirmation undergoes reviews conforming with both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Pros of testing hair for drugs:

• Extended detection duration: Hair drug tests identify drug use possibly up to 90 days, while urine tests have a shorter timeframe.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely tough, thus ensuring increased accuracy.
• Offers usage history data: It provides drug use patterns over time instead of capturing just recent use.

Cons:

• Delay in detecting recent use: Around 5-7 days are required before drugs are detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests usually carry higher costs compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal hair growth variations can influence metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Though often called "hair follicle tests," these checks analyze the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Bement, IL. Hair follicle testing offers significant advantages over traditional urine tests. One of the main benefits is its ability to detect drugs over a longer period. This extended window allows for a more comprehensive evaluation of substance use history, making it an ideal choice for many situations.

Compared to urine testing, hair testing presents a higher level of reliability and accuracy. With a detection capability of up to 90 days, it surpasses the limited scope of a few days from urine tests. This makes hair testing a superior option for both employers and legal entities.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Bement, IL. One of the most striking benefits of hair follicle testing is its long detection period, capable of identifying drug usage up to 90 days back. This extended window allows employers to get a detailed view of an individual's substance habits, which is critical in making informed decisions.

Unlike other testing methods, the breadth of this window ensures a thorough assessment of an employee or applicant's drug use. Such a comprehensive perspective provides invaluable insights that can enhance workplace safety and productivity.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Bement, IL. Hair follicle testing stands out due to its resistance to tampering. Unlike other types like urine tests, hair tests are difficult to alter or compromise, thus providing reliable results free from doubts about authenticity.

The rigorous collection and analysis processes make it nearly impossible for individuals to adulterate the samples. This ensures that the results are both credible and dependable, offering employers peace of mind in their hiring and monitoring processes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Bement, IL. With services available across the country, our testing centers provide unparalleled convenience and accessibility. Whether you are nearby or further away, locating a facility is simple, ensuring swift testing with minimal effort.

The easy access to our nationwide testing spots greatly simplifies the process for those needing drug tests, especially in urgent situations. Quick and hassle-free, our centers ensure testing is a straightforward task.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Bement, IL. Ordering and taking hair follicle tests ensures both simplicity and privacy. The entire procedure maintains confidentiality while being user-friendly, allowing individuals to undergo testing without concerns about complexity or information leaks.

From initiation to receiving results, the process is designed to accommodate the needs of those requiring discreet and streamlined testing services. This combination promotes user comfort and reassurance throughout each step.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Bement, IL. Our competitive pricing structures make hair follicle drug testing accessible to companies regardless of size. Combined with our quick turnaround times, this ensures excellent value and swift delivery of important results.

Organizations benefit from cost-effective solutions that do not compromise on quality, enabling them to enjoy both financial efficiency and the guarantee of accurate results when they need them the most.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Bement, IL. Hair follicle drug tests are known for their exceptional accuracy and speed. These tests ensure precise detection of substance use, providing quick and dependable results for those needing fast processing of important drug testing information.

When time is of the essence, the efficiency of hair follicle testing stands out. Not only are the results reliable, but their fast turnaround remains consistent, giving peace of mind to those who rely on accurate data.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Bement, IL. Employing hair follicle testing facilitates adherence to drug-free workplace policies. It significantly reduces legal hazards by ensuring that employees remain compliant with necessary regulations while promoting a safe working environment.

For employers, knowing that they are utilizing a reliable and thorough testing method alleviates worries about compliance issues. This confidence in testing processes plays a pivotal role in maintaining a secure and productive workplace atmosphere.

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What's New In Hair Follicle Drug Testing according to the Hair Drug Testing Experts

With its multidisciplinary nature, hair testing brings together researchers, scientists, and experts from various domains to develop innovative techniques, explore new methodologies, and address emerging concerns, responding to the ever-evolving challenges of drug abuse, therapeutic drug monitoring, and environmental exposures to pollutants.

The joint meeting of the Society of Hair Testing (SoHT) and the Italian Group of Forensic Toxicologists (GTFI) was organized in Verona, June 8–10, 2022, and hosted by the Legal Medicine team of the Verona University Hospital, directed by Franco Tagliaro together with Federica Bortolotti and Rossella Gottardo.

It served as a prominent platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, facilitating groundbreaking advancements in hair testing and analysis. In this special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, we aim to showcase the remarkable manuscripts presented at this significant event, shedding light on the latest research and highlighting the future directions in this field.

Novel Analytical Techniques: The Verona meeting witnessed the unveiling of cutting-edge analytical techniques, offering enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, and accuracy for drug testing. Remarkable advancements in sample preparation, detection, and identification of drug compounds have been presented. The manuscripts in this section presented novel approaches, such as multianalyte methods and on-line preparation which can enable rapid analysis and improve thorough forensic investigations.

Biomarkers and Pharmacokinetics: The identification and validation of reliable biomarkers and pharmacokinetic studies are fundamental aspects of drug testing and analysis. The impact of hair treatments on the oxidation/decomposition of drugs in hair was also explored, as the long-term fate of drugs incorporated in the keratin matrix. Furthermore, the SoHT meeting in Verona featured research on the identification and quantification of alcohol abuse biomarkers, their stability, and their correlation with exposure and other biomarkers.

Forensic Applications and Interpretation: One of the vital objectives of hair testing is its application in forensic investigations and legal proceedings. The SoHT meeting in Verona emphasized the significance of rigorous interpretation of analytical results and the need for standardized protocols. Manuscripts in this section present advancements in forensic toxicology, and have explored the challenges posed by emerging designer drugs and strategies to combat their proliferation. The pitfalls encountered when the exogenous/endogenous nature of a substance is questioned were presented and discussed. The special issue presents also manuscripts that delve into the ethical implications of drug testing in drug facilitated sexual assaults.

Clinical Applications of hair testing are witnessed by the insight on environmental tobacco smoke exposure, assessed by hair analysis in a population of students and the study of in utero-exposure to drugs of abuse through neonatal hair analysis. Exposure to drugs was also important in cases of child abuse/neglect, when the clinical purpose of hair testing merge with its forensic applications.

The legal framework surrounding hair testing and the achievement of guidelines to ensure fairness, accuracy, and confidentiality in drug testing practices have also been discussed,and the SoHT consensus on general hair testing and testing for drugs of abuse was presented at the meeting and published as a Letter to the Editor.

In conclusion, the special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, featuring manuscripts from the SoHT–GTFI meeting in Verona 2022, reflects the remarkable advancements achieved in this field. The manuscripts provide valuable insights into novel analytical techniques, biomarkers, pharmacokinetics, forensic applications, and ethical considerations. As we embrace these advancements, we pave the way for a safer, healthier society, where drug testing and analysis serve as powerful tools in protecting public health and maintaining integrity in various sectors. The research presented in this special issue will undoubtedly shape the future of drug testing and analysis, fostering collaboration and inspiring further innovation in this crucial area of scientific inquiry.

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